Definition

Noun: 1. A sharp, hooked claw, especially on a bird of prey: This is the primary meaning. A talon is the long, curved, and extremely sharp claw of a bird such as an eagle, hawk, or owl, used for seizing and killing prey. 2. The shoulder of the stock of a lock upon which the key acts to shoot the bolt: A specialized term in lock-making. 3. A card or cards remaining in the stock after the hands are dealt: A term used in some card games. 4. The part of a pack of cards not distributed to the players: Similar to definition 3, referring to the leftover cards.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Primary Meaning - Claw):
  • The eagle gripped the fish tightly in its powerful talons.
  • You could see the owl's sharp talons as it landed on the branch.
• Noun (Card Games):
  • After dealing, he placed the talon face down on the table.

Advanced Usage

• "The talons of...": Used figuratively to describe a powerful, grasping, or cruel force.
  • The country fell into the talons of a ruthless dictator.
  • He felt himself in the talons of despair.

Variants and Related Words

• Taloned (adj.): Having talons.
  • A taloned foot.

Synonyms

• Claw: The general term for a sharp, curved nail on an animal's foot.
• Nail: A simpler, more general term, but not specific to birds of prey.

Antonyms

• There is no direct antonym for the physical object. For the figurative use, antonyms could be salvation, liberation, or freedom.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The meaning related to birds of prey is by far the most common and recognized.
• The meanings related to locks and card games are highly specialized and rarely encountered in general language.

Noun

1. a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey